Residential electricity rates hiked by up to 51%

July 13, 2024 (MLN): The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has approved a hike of up to 51% in electricity base rates for residential consumers.

According to the new schedule of electricity tariffs, the rates for consumers using up to 200 units — both protected and non protected — will remain unchanged until September 2024.

However, from October 2024 onwards, significant increases will be implemented, with the hike going as much as 51%.

Protected consumers using up to 100 units per month will see their tariff increase from the current Rs7.74 to Rs11.69 per kWh, marking a substantial 51% rise, effective from October 2024.

Protected consumers using between 101 and 200 units per month will experience a 41% increase, with rates rising from Rs10.06 to Rs14.16 per kWh.

According to Nepra, more than 15.5 million consumers fall into this category.

GOP Applicable Variable Charges (PKR per kWh)

For the non-protected consumers, those using up to 100 units per month will face a 43% increase, with rates going from Rs16.48 to Rs23.59 per kWh.

For consumption between 101 and 200 units, the rates will rise 31% from Rs22.95 to Rs30.07 per kWh.

Meanwhile, for the remaining consumers falling in the next five categories, ranging from 201 units and above, the tariff increase will range from 14% to 26% affectice July 2024, with no further change for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Moreover, for these categories, fixed charges ranging between Rs200-1,000 per kWh has been introduced.

Nepra held a public hearing on July 08 to address government demands to pass on an additional burden of over Rs700 billion to electricity consumers during the current fiscal year by raising the average national tariff.

"The authority has no objection in approving the motion along with the subsequent addendum of the federal government”, Nepra said in the final order issued.

Nepra also approved an average increase of Rs3.29 per unit in the base electricity tariff, taking it to Rs33.07, up 11% from fiscal year 2023-24.

Read: NEPRA approves 11% hike in electricity tariff

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